Ailing Crisp sits out again
--OF Coco Crisp missed his second consecutive game with the flu. Jonny Gomes, who started in left field Wednesday night and homered, was back in for Crisp again Thursday, and he went 1-for-3 with a walk.
--1B Brandon Allen was claimed off waivers by the Rays. The A's elected to keep Kila Ka'aihue in a backup role when Daric Barton came off the disabled list; both Allen and Ka'aihue were out of options. Oakland obtained Allen last July in the Brad Ziegler deal with Arizona.
--LHP Tommy Milone, a former USC pitcher working in front of 50 to 60 friends and family members, allowed five hits and two runs in five innings at Angel Stadium and emerged with the win. The rookie, Oakland's No. 3 starter, walked one and struck out three.
--C Kurt Suzuki, under the weather thanks to the flu bug going around the A's clubhouse, doubled home a run in his first at-bat against Angels LHP C.J. Wilson on Thursday. Suzuki, who went 1-for-4, is batting .188.
--1B Kila Ka'aihue has hit safely in each of his five starts this season. Ka'aihue provided an RBI single in the fourth inning off Angels LHP C.J. Wilson on Thursday, and he is batting .421.
BY THE NUMBERS: 6 -- Of the 13 shutouts in the American League through Wednesday, six have involved the A's, who have thrown a league-leading three and have been shut out three times.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's phenomenal, but it's not surprising for him. He could throw a strike with his eyes closed if he wanted to." -- Manager Bob Melvin, on RHP Bartolo Colon's 38 consecutive strikes Wednesday night at Anaheim.
